Steam road-vehicle



(No Model.) 2 VSheets-Sheet 1.

A. C. MARSHALL.

STEAM EOAE VEHICLE.

No. 488,188. Patentedoot. 14.1880.

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A. C. MARSHALL. STEAM ROAD VEHICLE.

Ne. 438,168. Petented oet. 14,1890."

raJzaZar-s I Wfe E |I l S y `the driving-gear.

NITED STATES ATENT Finca.'

STEAM ROAD-VEHICLE.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 438,168, dated October14, 1890.-

i Application tiled December 26, 1889. Serial No. 335,078. (No model.)

.To @ZZ whom it may concern,.-

Be it known that I, ANDERSON C. MAR- SHALL, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Corunna, in the county of Shiawassee and State ofMichigan,have invented certain new and useful Improvements inSteam-Vehicles, of which the following is a specification, referencebeing had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in steam-carriagesor steam road-wagons; and the invention consists, first, in the peculiarand novel arrangement of the driving-gear, which is provided withdevices for controlling, independent of the engine or motor, the speed,stopping, advancing, and

reversing; second, in the peculiar arrangement and construction of theengine and boiler; third, the peculiar arrangement and construction ofthe brake mechanism; fourth, in the construct-ion, arrangement, andcombination of the various parts, all as more fully hereinafterdescribed, and shown in the drawings, in which-` Figure l is alongitudinal vertical section through a road-wagon embodying myinvention. Fig. 2 is a plan thereof, with the seats of the wagonremoved. Fig. 3 is a rear elevation, partly in section. Fig. et is adetail elevation of the reversible friction-clutch in Fig. 5 is asection on line w 'w in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a cross-section on line 'y yon Fig. 2. Fig. 7 is a plan showing the distribution and location of thesteam,

water, and liquid-fuel pipes. Fig. S is a plan of theactuating-connections of the reversible friction-clutch.

A is a platform or wagon-body supported upon front and rear wheels ortrucks, and provided with convenient facilities for carrying passengers,substantially as shown in the drawings, where B are front seats, and Cthe hind seat. The platform is constructed hollow, forming a space toconceal and protect the driving mechanism, as more fully hereinafterdescribed. The front part of the platform is supported by means of apair of crosssprings D, which are secured upon the iifth- -wheel E uponthe front axle, on which the is provided with a steeringLgear actuatedby front wheels loosely revolve. This front axle a steering-wheel F infront in proximity to the driver, and operated through its verticalstaff, which passes loosely through guide-bearings, and is provided witha pinion on its lower end engaging into the segmental gear G, secured tothe front side of the axle. The rear end of the platform is supported bymeans of the hangers H upon the springs I, which in turn are supportednear the outer ends of the yoke L. There are two stub-axles M in linewith each other, one for each wheel, and each provided with independentdriving mechanism. The two stub-axles arejournaled in bearings K, formedupon the outer ends of the yoke L, which has a central depression ordrop below the drive-wheels M, whichuare secured upon the inner ends ofthe stub-axles M. N is a steam-generator of suitable description,supported from the under side of the platform in the well between thetwo drive-wheels M. This generator is well protected against loss ofheat on the outside, and smokeless fuel is employed for generatingsteam, to which end I provide a tank for gasoline or like liquid fuelconcealed in the dash-board, and from there I conduct a pipe between thefloors of the platform to supply the burners of the generator. This pipeI control by a regulating-valve o', accessible to the driver from hisseat and adapted to regulate fthe size of the flames or extinguish thesame, so as to furnish a perfect control over the generator. I alsopreferably provide the burner with automatic lighting devices, alsounder control of the driver, which may be of any suitable description,as now in use. Y

The engine O2 is preferably under the front seat below the driver, andis of a compact style, which permits of economizing a suitable space infront to carrya water-tank o3, of relatively large capacity, which thusprotects the driver from the effects of the heat, and the radiation fromthe engine prevents the freezing of the water. The exhaust from theengine may also discharge into the water-tank. Motion is carried througha crank on the main shaft to the pitman P, which has balland-socketconnections at b oth ends for perfect adjustability, and thence to thehorizontally-vibrating lever Q, which is supported upon a pivot-pin Rbetween the `ioors of the platform. To this vibrating lever areadjustably secured at opposite ends the connect- IOO ing-rods S S, whichproject rearwardly between the iioors of the platform and connect by aball-and-socket joint to the vibrating levers T, which are sleevedloosely upon the respective inner ends of the stub-axles within thedrive-wheels M. To each end of the vibrating arms is pivotally lsecureda frictionblock U, which is adapted to make frictional contact with theinner face on the rim of the drive-wheel M in either direction or bethrown out of gear with said flange, according to the" adjustmentprovided, and which consists of a lever U', arranged in proximity to thedriver,

- with intermediate connection, as shown in Fig. 8, to a sliding sleeveV, which engages with a spiral guide V the lever T, and is 'adaptedthrough the connections V2 to rock the friction-blocks to either side orto hold them in their central position out of contact with thefriction-wheels, whereby the motion communicated to the blocks U throughthe connecting-rods is frictionally transmitted either by the'push or bythe pull of said rods, thus forming the means for going ahead, backing,or stopping, according to the adjustment of the lever Withoutinterfering with the motion of the engine.

To regulate the speed independent of the engine, the driver is providedwith aleverW, which, through intermediate connections, as shown,connects to the ends of the connect- Ving-rods S for the purpose ofincreasing or decreasing their leverage in like proportion by slidingthem from or toward the pivot R of the vibrating arm. A suitable brakemechanism is also provided-such as the brakestraps Y, applied to thedriver-wheels M and controlled through suitable mechanism by a lever Yin proximity to the driver on his seat.

For the comfort of the passengersIprovide radiators or foot-Warmers,which are supplied with steam from the boiler or the exhauststeam fromthe engine, thus making suitable provision for the convenience of thepassengers in cold weather.

The points of my invention to which Iwish to call particular attent-ionare First, no control of the engine is required, and therefore I amenabled to fully protect and conceal it, so that it will notinconvenience the passengers. At the same time perfect control of thedriving mechanism is obtained through the various levers which govern,first, the gear in such a manner as to stop, start, and reverse thewheels; second, the speed-regulating mechanism, which allows an increasein power in mounting hills or an increase in speed on the level road;third, the brake mechanism, which is made sufficiently powerful to holdthe device even against the power of the engine.

Second, the usual inconvenience arising from the use of coal or wood isentirely done away with by using liquid fuel, the safety of which isguaranteed by the distance maintained between the supply-tank on thefront end of the wagon and the generator placed at the rearmos-t endthereof and by the regulating-valve in the supply-pipe.

I further intend to enable the driver to inform himself as to thecondition of the Iiames and generator without descending from his seatby providing reilectors or mirrors within the Vision of the driver, andsuitable indicators and steam-gages observable by him Without changinghis position.

As in vehicles of this kind success depends mentirely upon their safetyand convenience and upon the appearance, which, if in anyway unusual,detracts from the merit for obvious reasons, it will be seen that I havewithout question succeeded in hiding and protecting the whole drivingmechanism, with its motor and paraphernalia, to such an extent that nounusual appearance is given to frighten horses or deter timid peoplefrom making use of the contrivance. Smoke and noise are done away withand the work of attendance is reduced to a minimum.

I preferably hinge the front seat so that it may be turned back, ifdesired, to examine the working parts, as the space under the seat isinclosed all around to keep out the dust and prevent the freezing of thewater in the tank. v

Other appliances not specially mentioned, `but forming a necessary partor a usual appendix of steam-vehicles--such as a feedpump, exhaust-pipe,whistle, zcmay be arranged as deemed best.

What I claim as my invention is 1. In a vehicle 0f the kind described,the combination, with the plat-form, of a liquidfuel reservoirconcealedwithinthedash-board, an engine and water-tank. connected below a seat onthe front end of the platform, the generator supported belowa seat onthe rear end of the platform, and the driving mechanism concealed withinthe hollow licor of thc-platform, substantially as described.

2. In a vehicle of the kind described, the combination of the followingelements: the hind Wheels secured to independent stubaxles, the drivingmechanism applied thereto, the reversible friction-clutches and theircontrolling-lever, the speed-regulating mechanism and itscontrolling-lever, and the brake mechanism and its controlling-lever,all said levers arranged in proximity to the driver, substantially asdescribed.

3. In a vehicle of the kind described, the combination of the followingelements: the body of the vehicle carrying front and rear seats and thehollow platform, the engine and water-tank concealed underv the frontseats, the generator supported under the rear seat, and the intermediatedriving-gear concealed within the hollow platform, substantially asdescribed.

4c. In a vehicle of the kind described, the combination, with the body,the rear supporting-Wheels secured upon independent stub- IOO IIO

axles, the drive-wheels M, secured thereto, and

j ournaled and on which the bodyis supported, substantially asdescribed.

5. In a vehicle of the kind described, a speed-regulating mechanismconsisting of the vibrating arm Q, the connecting-rods S, adjustablysecured thereto, and the adjustinglever with its connection foradjusting them from or toward the pivot, substantially as described.

6. In a Vehicle of the kind described, a reversing mechanism comprisingthe lever U', with its intermediate connections, and the drive-wheels M,provided with vibrating levers T and the reversible friction-blocks U,substantially as described.

7. In asteam-vehicle, the combination, with the hind wheels secured uponthe independent stub-axles, of a friction drivegear consisting of thedrive-Wheels M, secured tosaid axles, respectively, vibrating levers T,sleeved upon said axles-one for each drive-wheelreversiblefriction-blocks U, secured to the ends of said levers and adapted tomake frictional contact with the inner face of the rim of thedrive-wheel, and a lever-controlled mechanism for said friction-blocksto throw them in or out of gear in either direction, substantially asdescribed.

8. In a steam-vehicle, the combination, with the hind wheels securedupon independent stub-axles, of a friction drive-gear consisting of thedrive-wheels M, secured to said axles, respectively, vibrating levers T,sleeved upon said axles-one for each drive-wheel*fric tion-blockspivotally secured to the ends of said levers, a vibrating lever Q,actuated by the motive power, and connecting-rods S, attached at one endto the opposite arms of the lever Q and at the other to the vibratinglevers T, respectively, substantially as described.

9. In a steam-vehicle, the combination, with the hind wheels securedupon independent stub-axles, the drive-wheels M, secured to said axles,respectively, the vibrating levers T, carrying the reversible friction-blocks U, adapted to engage upon the inner face of the Iianges of thedrive-wheels. and the brakestraps Y, adapted to engage upon the outerface of the drive-wheels, substantially as described. v

l0. In a steam-vehicle, the combination of the hollow platform, thesteam-generator supported near the rear end of said platform,the rearseat inclosing said generator on top and sides, the liquid-fuel burners,the liquid-fuelsupply pipe concealed in the hollow platform, theliquid-fuel reservoir forming the dashboard, and the regulatingsupply-valve in proximity to the driver, substantially as described.

11. The combination of the drive-wheel M, secured upon the stub-axle,the vibratinglever T, fulcrumed upon the said stub-axle, the reversiblefriction-blocks U, secured to the arms Iof said lever and adapted to bethrown in and out of contact with the inner face of the anges of saidwheel, the sliding sleeve V and spring-bars V2, pivotally connecting thesliding sleeve with the friction-block, the spiral-guide connectionbetween the sliding sleeve and the vibrating lever T, and the le ver U',with its actuated connection with said sliding sleeve, substantially asdescribed.

In testimony7 whereof I afx mysignature, in presence of two witnesses,this 29th day of October, 1889.

ANDERSON C. MARSHALL.

Witnesses S. M. HULBERT, C. C. ALToN.

